Switching device



E. R. EDSON SWITCHING DEVI CE Filed April 18. 1927 five/17a i 7 E/mef '2 5460/7 0 Patented May 15, 1928. 1

PATENT OFFlCE man a. mason, or PORTLAND, ORE ON.

swrronme n'nvron.

Application filed April 18,

"My invention relates to my United States a Patent Number 1,612,271 issued to me under date of December 28, 1926, for a railway track and rail; my invention also relates to patent applications filed concurrently herewith, two in number, one u on a new and im roved railway switch Serial No. 184,687, an the other uponrailway road bed and track construction, Serial No. 184,686.

The primar object of my invention consists in provi ing a railway switch laterally movable and carryin one or more sections of track which provide for completion of either the main-line track as to its continuous alignment, or for completion of a sidetrack as to its continuous allgnment withthe main-line track depending on the adjustment of the switch. This switch, though suitable foruse by anytype of railway, is particularly designed for use in flanged railway systems where an anti-derailment safety-wheel is employed to operate on a special flanged rail.

A further object'of my present invention consists in providing a switch section,'composed of two parts, one being the main line section of the switch, and the other being the switching section, means being provided for the lateral movement of the switches to lace the main line section in position within the main line or to place the switch section in position to divert the vehicle passing thereover on to the switch section. A still further object of my invention consists in the moving of the switch a minimum of distance to accomplish the result uired.

further object of my invention consists in providing a switch for railways without up the necessity of the cutting of the hall or supporting section of the rail longitudinally of the rail, so that the full cross sectional area of the rail is maintained at all times.

A still further object of my invention 1927. Serial No. 184,685.

device, with the main line section of the switch being in position within the main line. Y i

Fig. 2 is an end sectionalview, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the mechanism for the lateral shifting-of the track sections of the switch. i

Fig. 1 is an end elevation, taken on line 1- 1 of Fig. 3, looking'in the direction indicated. g 2

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views. 1, 2, 3, and 4, are the rail sections of the main line of the track, with a gap formed therebetween. My main line switch is placed in the gap between thesections of the main line track, as shown at 5*and 6. Th812L1lS of the side track are shown at 7 and 8, with the curved switchsections being shown at 9 and 10. The switch is normally placed in position, as illustratedin Fig. 1, in engagement and in registerable alignment with the main line track,and out of engagement and registerable alignment with the switching track. The rail sections are supported'upon longitudinal girders 11 with the rails superposed thereupon, having the outwardly projecting base extending beyond the head section of the girders. The cross strut members 12, secure the longitudinal girders 11 rest upon track supporting; beams are journaled therein by suitable bearings.

Switch supporting wheels 15, are journaled' about the stub shafts 1 1, the said wheels resting upon rails 16. This form of construction provides for a minimum of resist ance in the shifting of the switch sections. Outwardly disposed upon one side of the rail 10, are two gear racks 17 and 18, and in working relationship therewith are pinions 19 which are mounted upon the shaft 20, journaled within the stand 21. Also mount ed upon the shaft 20 is an operating hand wheel 22 for the turning of the pinions and the lateral movement of the gear racks 17 and 18 and the switch sections to which the same are attached. A locking pawl 23 passes through the boss 24 disposed on the 13 through which stub shafts 14 pass, and whicli upper side of the stand 21 and is of sufficient length to maintain the locking pawl in alignment, the same being in shape and form on its lower end to permit. of its engagement within the tooth section of the pinion 19. \Vhen the track sections have been positioned for the passage of trains, either over the line or over the switch line, the locking pawl 23 is made to engage the space within the pinion 19, and a lock :25 is then passed through the locking pawl 23 and the upwardly disposed adjacent side wall 26 of the boss 24, thus locking the pinion and rack in position to prevent the further lateral movement of the switch sections until the same has been unlocked and repositioned.

\Vhile the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated. it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein shown and described, as it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow:

Vhat I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a main line track and a switch line track each line being spaced apart to permit of a switch section of track being placed therebetween, a track section composed of a main line section and a switch line sect-ion, supporting beams for the track sections, supporting wheels journaled within the supporting beams, rails mounting the supporting wheels, a multiple of gear racks outwardly extending from the track section, stands adapted to the passage of the racks thcrethrough, stub shal'ts journaled within the stands, and pinions in working relation with the racks mounted upon the stub shafts and secured thereto, means for rotating the shaft and n rans for locking the pinion in placed position.

2. In switching devices, the combination with a main line track having a gap therein and a side track departing from one edge of the said gap, of a. pluralit of beams disposed transversely of said gap, including supporting wheels adapted for travel upon rails, a rail disposed below and 'i'orming a track for the wheels of each individual beam to travel upon, tracks mounted upon said beam one of which is adapted for bridging the gap between the main line track section when said beams are moved in one direction, the other l'icing adapted for bridging the gap between av main line track section and the aforesaid side track when the said beams are moved in the opposite direction, and means for moving said beams as aforesaid, comprising gear racks supported and extending from the movable track sections, a horizontal shaft, gears secured to said shaft and each engaging one of the aforesaid racks, and means for rotating said shaft substantially as described.

- ELMER R. EDSON. 

